Ilkley Choral Society's 'Come and Sing' is amazing

Wednesday, 15 October 2025 10:13

Come and Sing at the Clarke Foley Community Hub

Last Saturday the centre of Ilkley was ringing with the amazing sound of almost one hundred voices joining together in song for ‘Come and Sing’.

Ilkley Choral Society arranged the event on 11th October at the Clarke Foley Community Hub, and participants came from as far away as Northumberland especially to take part.

The musical focus for the day was Carl Orff’s well-known ‘Carmina Burana’, a dramatic and full-blooded 20^th century classic, which captures a range of moods from quiet joy to tavern rowdiness.

The Musical Director of Ilkley Choral, Alex Kyle, led the singers through a relaxed but challenging day, always demonstrating his immense knowledge and choral conducting skills. Participants were also treated to the masterful piano accompaniment of local musician Robert Sudall, and to the soaring baritone solos sung by internationally known William Kyle.

Sally Sumpner, Chair of Ilkley Choral Society, said:

“It was a really terrific day, enjoyed by everyone who came either to sing, or to listen to the exhilarating short concert at the end of the afternoon.”

Ilkley Choral Society will be performing Carmina Burana on Saturday 15^th November 2025 at St. Margaret’s Church, Ilkley, at 7.00pm.

Sally Sumpner explained:

“The choir will be accompanied by two pianos, and no less than twenty five separate items of percussion, which will be an enormously exciting and rousing sound in the spacious church building. Along with three amazingly talented solo singers, this promises to be a not-to-be-missed concert!”

Tickets are priced at £20, plus a booking fee on Eventbrite, or are available from The Grove Bookshop in Ilkley, from Brown’s Gallery in Otley, from any member of the choir, or at the door.

More from Local news

The Box Tree recognised as one of the best restaurants in Leeds

The Box Tree restaurant in Ilkley is celebrating after being included in The Telegraph’s list of the 21 best restaurants in Leeds.
Swing into Christmas promises an evening of festive favourites

It’s full steam ahead for The Northern Swing Orchestra as they prepare for their forthcoming festive concert ‘Swing into Christmas’, on stage at The Kings Hall in Ilkley on Friday 19 December 2025.
Local dads raise £11,892 to support Airedale Hospital and Community Charity

Will Schaffer, Sam Prus, Martyn Stocker, Joe Smith, and Dan Chadwick - all from Ilkley - took on the 82-mile Dales Way walk with a goal to complete the challenge in under 36 hours.
Second leg of 'magical' Santa tour starts on Friday

The Ilkley & District Round Table is celebrating a hugely successful start to this year’s Santa Float with hundreds of families stepping outside to greet Santa and support local causes in Addingham, Valley Drive and Ilkley Town Centre.
Yorkshire Water finally lifts five-month hosepipe ban

Yorkshire Water has lifted its hosepipe ban today (Wednesday), bringing an end to restrictions that have affected more than five million people since July.
Don't blame wildlife for £11.7m Kex Gill overspend, say Green councillors

Financial mismanagement rather than a requirement to protect wildlife caused an £11.7m overspend on a major road building scheme, opposition councillors claim.
Wanted on suspicion of theft offences locally including Ilkley

Police are appealing for information to help locate Richard Thompson who is wanted on suspicion of theft offences.
Appeal for Christmas food parcel donations

The Ilkley Great Get Together team are once again supporting 100+ local families with Christmas Food Parcels and are appealing for donations.
Brave dippers raise more than £5,000 at Sue Ryder’s new cold-water challenge

Cold water enthusiasts and newbies alike made a splash this weekend at Sue Ryder’s brand new cold-water challenge – The Big Dip Dales - held at Draughton Heights Campsite.
Quinta named Best Restaurant in England at national awards

Quinta Restaurant, the cosy Portuguese-inspired eatery in Ilkley, has been named 'Best Restaurant in England' at England's Business Awards 2025 held in Birmingham last month.
Children's charity Christmas celebration in Ilkley

The Principle Trust Children’s Charity says it is delighted to share the success of its festive Christmas celebration, generously hosted at Ilkley Rugby Club within the stunning Christmas Teepees space kindly gifted by BAR Events UK and supporters Dan and Laura Lakin.
Clayful celebrates one year with creative community events

Ilkley's unique craft studio, Clayful, based in the Moors Shopping Centre is celebrating its first birthday this month.
Ilkley Town Council invites volunteers to join its Planning Committee

Ilkley Town Council currently has two vacancies for non-councillor members on its Planning Committee and is inviting local residents to get involved.
Outside the Box welcomes all to first Winter Festival

Outside the Box has announced its first Winter Festival will take place on Sunday 14th December between 2pm and 4:30pm.
Ilkley Christmas Tree Festival brings community together in a festive celebration!

The Ilkley Christmas Tree Festival at St. Margaret’s Church on 5th and 6th December was a huge success.
New train timetables on Wharfedale Line from Sunday

Northern is reminding Wharfedale Line commuters to check before they travel, with train timetables changing from Sunday 14 December 2025.
Ilkley shoppers can spread festive joy by gifting toys this Christmas

Tesco customers in Ilkley are being reminded they still have the opportunity to give new toys to local children who need it most this Christmas.
Festive dining and talent at Outside the Box

Guests at the recent Dine-In event at Outside the Box in Ilkley enjoyed a very special Christmas dining experience.
Burley Co-op re-opens with fresh new-look following makeover

Burley-in-Wharfedale Co-op relaunches following a six-week programme of improvements to ‘transform’ the Main Street store.
An evening with Inbetweeners comedian in Silsden

He'll be talking The Inbetweeners and much more at this very special evening with actor and comedian Joe Thomas on Saturday 28th February 2026.